breakfast balls - peanut butter banana oatmeal & nutella olive oil oatmeal

Two of my favorite breakfast items are peanut butter banana sandwiches and Nutella on toast. Using these as a flavor inspiration, I made 2 different breakfast balls... portable little nuggets of nutrition and yum. The recipes are pretty similar... both have heart-healthy oatmeal and flax meal.

The Nutella ones have olive oil in them for moisture, but this makes them spread a bit so they are less ballish, more cookieish. Both are less sweet than cookies, which is perfect to go with a morning cuppa tea. 2 or 3 of these balls, along with some fresh fruit, make a satisfying start to your day, or a great little afternoon energy snack.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal balls 

-1 ripe banana
-1/2 cup peanut butter
-2 cups rolled oats
-1 egg
-2 Tablespoons Honey
-1/4 cup flax meal
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Mash the banana with a fork, and combine with all the other ingredients. Stir well so everything is evenly distribute. Use your hands to make into 1 Tablespoon-size balls. Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for about 10 minutes.

Nutella Olive Oil Oatmeal Balls Cookies 

-3/4 cup nutella
-2 cups rolled oats
-1 egg
-2 Tablespoons olive oil
-1/4 cup flax meal
-2 Tablespoons brown sugar
-1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Combine with all the ingredients. Stir well so everything is evenly distributed. Use your hands to make into 1 Tablespoon-size balls. Bake on a parchment-lined cookie sheet for about 10 minutes.

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